Uwazi

Nepal Police misbehaved with the reporter to https://www.khojsanchar.com/ (an online news portal) Pragya Thaiba in Kathmandu on February 24. Kathmandu is the capital city situated in the Bagmati Province of Nepal.

Photojournalist Thaiba shared with Freedom Forum that while she was reporting on conflict among locals and police persons at police station, one of the officers seized her camera with the order from Police Inspector.

The officer also warned her that she was not allowed to take pictures or videos on the office premises. Later, they deleted the pictures and returned back the camera, she added.

Police had arrested the members of Valley Road Expansion Vitim Struggle Committee for protesting at the metropolitan construction site.

Freedom Forum expresses serious concern over intimidation on photojournalist and deletion of photo from her camera because it is sheer violation of press freedom. Reporting on the issues of public concern is the journalists' rights.

Nepal Press Freedom

Two youths were arrested from the protest against the government in Pyuthan district on February 16 . Pyuthan lies in Lumbini Province of Nepal.

As per the information received at Freedom Forum, cadres of the student wing of Nepali Congress party Tuna Ram Khatri and Sagar GM were arrested for protesting against the government. They have been reported that they chanted slogans against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, decrying his move to dissolve parliament.

Lately, political parties, leaders and their student wings have been protesting against the dissolution of the House of Representatives in Nepal. The case is currently in sub judice in court.

Freedom Forum has recorded many other incidents of violation of freedom of speech in different parts of country. A week back, a female youth leader was briefly detained for her speech. She was released after severe criticism.

Freedom Forum shows concern over the arrest of citizens for exercising their right to speech. It urges the concerned security agency to release them and respect their fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

Nepal Press Freedom

A municipality chief threatened www.thahakhabar.com 's Jumla based reporter Dil Maya Shahi through telephone call today (February 21). Jumla lies in Karnali Province of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum's monitoring desk, Shahi shared that she had written a news critical to the Chandannath Municipality's Mayor Kantika Sejuwal. After the publication of news, Sejuwal call Shahi and threatened for writing the news.

"She spoke abusive and also called me to her office in threatening voice", said Shahi, "later, I knew that Sejuwal along with her daughter were preparing to attack me at office."

"Being a reporter, I have right to report on the important issues and Mayor being a public personality should accept criticism and deal in other ways for dissatisfaction over the news", claimed reporter Shahi.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is gross violation of press freedom. Government has always been intolerant to the media criticism. Despite availability of the legal provisions to report about any dissatisfaction over published news, government authority's intimidation to the reporter is deplorable.

Nepal Press Freedom

Police have arrested 6 right activists on the charge of protesting for the justice of Nirmala Pant in Kanchanpur on February 22. Among the arrested were Sarada Chand, Anandi Rana, Laxmi Malla, Nirmala Joshi Bhatt, Khadak Bisht, and Mina Bhandari.

Right activities staged a symbolic protest demanding justice for Nirmala Pant, who was killed after being raped while Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was laying the foundation stone of Daiji Chhela Industrial Area in Kanchanpur. They protested wearing a t-shirt with the caption " where is the murder of Nirmala Pant?".

Nepal Monitor

Post photojournalist Kabin Adhikari sustained injuries on Thursday while taking photographs of a demonstration at New Baneshwor against the arrest of Ram Kumari Jhakri on charges of offence against the state.

Adhikari's ankle is fractured, physicians attending him said.

He is undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, Adhikari was injured when the police baton-charged the protestors near the Everest Hotel.

Jhankri was arrested by the police from her residence at Shankhamul on Thursday afternoon.

Soon after the arrest, there was widespread condemnation of her arrest saying that the government tried to curb freedom of speech.

Police have released Jhakri on Thursday evening after the leaders of various parties demanded the release.

Meanwhile, the Photo Journalists Club wished Adhikari a speedy recovery and urged the agitating parties and the government to create a conducive environment for the media to operate in and the flow of information.

Kathmandu Post

An online news portal www.rupaantaran.com has been blocked since January 21. The news portal was run by a noted journalist Kishor Nepal from Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

Two weeks ago, journalist Nepal wrote in a tweet - 'My only news portal has been blocked. What the anger with the words! It hurts a lot for being censored for practicing press freedom and freedom of expression.'

He has further accused 'cyber army' of blocking the website reasoning he used to write news and opinions critical to the government.

In this connection, Freedom Forum made an inquiry on Cyber Crime Bureau of Nepal Police, which responded that they were uninformed about the case.

Similarly, Assistant Director at Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Sunil Khatiwada, confirmed that the site was not been blocked by NTA.

Whether the news portal is blocked or banned, it has violated internet freedom, freedom of expression and press freedom. It is a violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. Lately, the cyber-surveillance has grown in Nepal, which might have the hand behind it as journalist Nepal guessed. The misuse of authority to suppress citizen's rights can not be imagined in democratic system. If any side had dissatisfaction over the news content, legitimate move of complaints could be adopted rather than blocking the website.

Freedom Forum therefore urges the concerned authorities to facilitate for the immediate restoration of news portal run by noted journalist Nepal.

Nepal Press Freedom

The KP Sharma Oli administration’s intolerance of dissent and civil liberty was in full display on Monday. Police on Monday afternoon brutally charged members of civil society, who had gathered under the umbrella of Brihat Nagarik Andolan, when they were marching towards Baluwatar to protest against Oli’s decision to dissolve the House on December 20.

In a statement in the evening, Brihat Nagarik Andolan said that the government forcefully led the peaceful protest into a violent clash.

“The police intervention in a peaceful protest shows KP Sharma Oli government’s fearful and suppressive mindset,” reads the statement.

Monday’s demonstration had started from ‘Kamal Pokhari’, which has drawn heritage conservationists’ attention of late because of the authorities’ bid to turn it into a “concrete pond”.

Renowned personalities including writers Narayan Wagle, Khagendra Sangraula, Ujjwal Prasain, Yug Pathak, professor Sanjeev Upreti, activist Rita Shah, social campaigner and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC, human rights activist Mohna Ansari, Communist Party of Nepal leader Raghuji Pant and actor Dahayang Rai, among others, led the protest.

But no sooner had the demonstrators reached close to Baluwatar, the official residence of Prime Minister Oli, than police charged batons and used water cannons to disperse them, in what was reminiscent of the days when protesters were assaulted during the 2006 movement, which is dubbed the second Jana Andolan, the first being the 1990 movement.

The 1990 movement ushered in democracy in the country and the second culminated in the abolition of monarchy.

In a video clip by photojournalist Narayan Maharjan of Setopati, an online news portal, Wagle is seen falling down due to the force of the water cannon, and many others being brutally beaten up by police.

“We were holding a peaceful protest. Without prior information, police used force on us,” said Wagle. “This is the beginning of the third Jana Andolan.”

Oli faces charges of behaving as though he is the state, and since dissolving the House, he has been making statements, branding all who criticise him as anti-national forces.

His aversion to civil liberty and peaceful protests had become apparent just after he assumed office, as he had banned protests at Maitighar.

Civil society members and rights defenders have called Oli’s House dissolution move unconstitutional, saying he has committed a fraud on the constitution because it does not allow him to do so.

Despite a dozen writ petitions against his move being heard by the Supreme Court, Oli has been making claims that the court cannot revive the House, in what many say his attempts to influence the judiciary.

“The Oli government has failed to show regard for democrotic norms,” Uprety, the professor, told the Post. “The state is so fearful of its own citizens that it is not even allowing them to speak.”

Earlier on Monday, police had rounded up around two dozen rights defenders from the Baluwatar area for protesting against the House dissolution.

Police, however, said no arrests were made during the civil society protest.

“A few people might have sustained minor injuries but we did not arrest anyone,” said Senior Superintendent Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, also the spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari.

Shrestha defended security personnel’s baton-charge and use of water cannon, saying “minor force” was used as the protesters were attempting to enter the prohibited zone.

“Five protesters and as many security personnel were injured,” said Shrestha. “But all those injured protesters have returned home after receiving treatment at TU Teaching Hospital.”

But the campaigners in their statement said that over a dozen people were injured.

“Six critically injured persons including Nirga Raj Jaishi, Janak Dhungana, Suroj Tamang, Kuldip Sharma, Sunil Shrestha and Govida Bhandari are receiving treatment at TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj,” read the statement.

Earlier in June also, police had used force on youths who were demonstrating at Baluwatar against the Oli government’s lacklustre response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Basanta Ranjitkar, one of the coordinators of the Brihat Nagarik Andolan, said Monday’s was a planned attack from the government side.

“A democratic government never behaves in the way the Oli government has done today,” said Rajitkar. “No regime is afraid of the people unless it has committed anything wrong. Since the Oli regime has lost its legitimacy, it is too afraid of the people.”

Police on Monday afternoon detained around two dozen human rights activists and civil society members who had gathered in Baluwatar, Kathmandu to protest against the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

Police said all those detained have been kept at the Nepal Police Club.

Kathmandu Post | Nepalmonitor

Nepal Police arrested citizens for protesting peacefully at a program in Dhangadhi on January 8. Dhangadhi lies in the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.

Local youths Binod Khadka, Aarud Sah, Sagar Joshi, Rajendra Shahi, Pravin Khadka, Suresh Joshi, and Naresh Prasad Joshi were arrested for wearing t-shirt with slogans- Where is the rapist of Nirmala Panta?

Nirmala Panta, a 13-year old girl was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur in 2018. The locals claim the 'accused is still roaming scot-free'. The investigation authority had earlier stated that the perpetrator would be arrested soon but no action has been taken yet.

The youths had worn t-shirts to create pressure on government to arrest and punish the rapist and murderer of Nirmala Panta. The program was being addressed by the Prime Minister.

Other attendees in the program also shared that they were not even allowed to wear black mask.

Youths were detained for four hours and released later, informed chief of District Police Office, Kailali.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is gross violation of citizen's right to peaceful protest. It has resulted in suppression of freedom of expression. Such incidents represent government's authoritarian move and intolerance towards public criticism. Citizen's right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest is guaranteed by Nepal's constitution.

Nepal Press Freedom

Reporter with Dhangadhi-based Dinesh FM Narayan Awasthi received threats of attack through telephone for reporting news in Dhangadhi on December 11. Dhangadhi is situated in Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.

According to Freedom Forum's representative Min Bam, news about a payment released without any work progress in the infrastructure development program led by Province's Assembly Member Nepalu Chaudhary was aired via FM radio on December 9.

Again on December 10, news claiming payments made on the basis of ‘only paper works’ in the area of Parliamentarian Chaudhary was published on www.dineshkhabar.com.

Following the publication of news, Ram Chandra Chaudhary calling himself a member of Municipality Committee Secretariat called on the phone and threatened Awasthi of physical assault using abusive words, said representative Bam.

Thereafter, Awasthi called Parliamentarian Chaudhary to inform him about the threat but the Parliamentarian in turn, replied that he deserves punishment for writing fake news and that he did not report in their favor.

However, FF has noted that reliable local sources have been quoted in the above-mentioned news.

Reporter Awasthi has informed local administration about the incident and is preparing to file a complaint against them, informed Bam.

Nepal Press Freedom

Chief Editor at https://www.kathmandukhabar.com/ Keshav Raj Pathak was issued death threat for reporting news in Kathmandu on December 16. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

During conversation with Freedom Forum's media monitoring desk, editor Pathak shared that he has been reporting on various issues of illegal excavation and plotting of land in Budhanilkantha municipality. Recently the municipality and district forest authority had restricted ongoing plotting of land in the municipality following a complaint filed by Pathak.

"On the day of incident, two masked men approached me while walking along the plotting area and threatened saying- this is our plot; you have risked your life doing this so now bear consequences", said Pathak.

He further said that he has also informed local authority including Metropolitan Police Range about the incident requesting his safety.

Freedom Forum is concerned over the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom. Despite availability of the legitimate ways to show dissatisfaction over news published, hostile behavior meted out against journalists time and again is worrying. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to ensure safety of the journalists and avoid any mishaps in future

Nepal Press Freedom

Arjun Giri, editor at https://www.tandavnews.com/ (an online news portal) was issued threat of physical assault. He got such threat by a phone in Pokhara on December 23. Pokhara lies in Gandaki Province of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum, Giri shared that a senior reporter with the online, Madhav Bhusal, had reported news entitled- 'sexual assault on women: a blot on the image of a religious guru Prakash' on December 20. An unknown person called on Bhusal's mobile and asked for the proof of the content in the news.

Bhusal then forwarded the call to Giri. The caller, who introduced himself as an officer from Central Bureau of Investigation also threatened Giri saying he would send his goons to the office for publishing the baseless news.

Giri, however, claimed that he had every proof for the news and was not scared of any threats.

"But, because the person says himself a police I have reported to District Police Office and CIB Police Headquarters about the incident," Giri shared.

Freedom Forum is concerned over the threat issued to journalist for reporting news. It is a gross violation of press freedom. One can seek the Nepal Press Council's help to show concern with news contents and follow legitimate ways.

Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to investigate the case fairly and ensure security to the journalists.

Nepal Press Freedom

Jhapa-based reporter to Mountain Television Khagendra Ghimire and his camera person Bhaskar Shrestha were attacked by the government officials while reporting in a Land Revenue Office in Jhapa on December 1. Jhapa district lies in Province 1 of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum's monitoring desk, Ghimire shared, "We were recording a video of a staff (Indra Rajbanshi) receiving bribe amount Rs 10,000 from a client. Meanwhile, the staff snatched the camera."

"Following this, we went to the office of the Chief Tara Dhungel to discuss the matter but Rajbanshi along with others thrashed us on our shoulders and face," added Ghimire.

Reporter Ghimire sustained injuries on his head, chest and has been undergoing treatment at the local hospital. Cameraperson Shrestha however, escaped injury from the incident.

Ghimire has also filed a First Information Report at the Area Police station, Damak.

A team of journalists are talking to the police chief demanding the arrest of the accused, informed Ghimire to FF.

Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the incident as it is a gross violation of press freedom. Reporting on the irregularities and the issues of public concern is the duty of a journalist. Also, the citizens pay tax to receive service from the public bodies thus, they deserve fair service delivery. In this case, while asking for bribe is a crime, attacking journalists for doing their job adds to it. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to arrest and punish the attackers and ensure a fair reporting atmosphere for the journalists.

-Update- Main accused Indra Rajbanshi has been arrested on December 4 after an arrest order issued by the District Administration office and is kept under detention for further investigation at Jhapa Police Office.

Nepal Press Freedom

Nepal Police has arrested nine RTI activists while registering their RTI applications at District Ayurvedic Health Centre Parsa today (November 2). Parsa lies in the Province 2 of Nepal.

As per information received at Freedom Forum, nine activists Manoj Rouniyar (Member, National Network for RTI), Udaya Kushwaha, Pravin Manipal, Pramila Giri, Dip Narayan Prasad Yadav, Salamat Hussain Mansoor, Keshar Das, Rupesh Singh and Birendra Yadav had reached the health centre to register their RTI application separately. In the meantime, police arrested them and released however, Kushwaha and Manipal were detained for four hours.

The incident has been reported to take place with alleged involvement of the office's Chief Ramesh Mishra, Information Officer Nagendra Prasad Patel and District Police Chief.

FF's representative Rajan Singh quoted Rouniyar as saying Mishra and Patel threw their RTI applications and called the police to arrest them.

Arrested activists had filed RTI seeking information on office staff, yearly income, details about information officer and review meeting's expenditure at the office.

The nine were taken under control outside the prison after they went to Ayurveda Health Center to register a petition under the Right to Information Act on suspicion of irregularities of District (Parsa) Ayurveda Health Center such as the income and expenditure details for the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19, fuel expenditure and certified copy of the qualifications of the staff.

They complained of being arrested without registering the application and said that it was against the human rights to be detained by the police for seeking the information as it is a fundamental right to receive information. The Club has been drawing the attention of the stakeholders by complaining that the Ayurveda office’s staff not usually present in the office, office items are used in people's homes and there is no transparency in the office.

Chief of the District Ayurveda Health Office, Dr Ramesh Mishra, said that the police arrested them due to an old scandal where the youths belonging to the Club tried to assault him by abusing the service recipients came to the centre on October 19. Meanwhile, police released them after understanding the matter from both sides.

Nepal Monitor | Nepal Press Freedom

Reporters Chitra Mijar, Anish Tiwari and Niroj Chaulagain were misbehaved while reporting in Sindhupalchowk on October 13. Sidhupalchowk lies in Bagmati Province.

Mijar and Tiwari are affiliated to Gorkhapatra and Kantipur National dailies respecively, while Chaulagain is associated with AP1 television.

Talking to Freedom Forum's monitoring desk, reporter Tiwari shared,"We were talking to the families who were forcefully displaced after a hydropower project started road construction without their consent. Meanwhile, a group of youth approached and shouted at us saying - Is this what you called journalism! Don't you have to listen to us?"

The reporters then talked to the youth and collected the voice of both sides.

"But again the youths in a group of 20-25 encircled us for at least two hours while we were heading towards the project site. Thereafter, we returned without reporting at the hydropower project site", said Tiwari. The youths had also threatened the driver for carrying journalists and vandalized their vehicle.

Further, claiming that people threatened and obstructed them while doing their job, Tiwari wondered, "Do we even have the right to report freely?"

They have also filed a complaint at the local police station. The case is under investigation.

Freedom Forum condemns the misbehavior meted out to the reporters. Reporting on the issues of public concern is the right of journalists guaranteed by the constitution. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to apologize for the misbehavior and respect journalists' rights.

Nepal Press Freedom

Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRD Alliance) condemns the cold-blooded murder of an environmental rights defender in Dhanusha district of the Tarai region, Nepal. The 24year-old Om Prakash Mahato was crushed to death by a tipper owned by a crusher company on 10 January 2020 while protesting the illegal extraction of river materials from a river located near his village. We call on the authorities to set up a parliamentary inquiry into the illegal extraction of river materials, review of existing regulations and for the company to provide compensation to the family.

CASE DETAILS On 10 January 2020, Om Prakash Mahato, who goes by the nickname ‘Dilip’, 24, of Mithila Municipality-5, Dhanusha district, was killed while he was protesting the illegal extraction of the riverbed materials from Aurahi River located near his village Shreepur Tol. The night before the incident, someone had informed Dilip that aggregates (sand and stones) were going to be extracted illegally from Aurahi river. Before he left toward the river, at around 4 am, he did not inform his family but he informed the ward chairperson by mobile phone that he was going there to confront the crusher company. His friend, Roshan Yadav, accompanied Dilip. Dhanusha District Police Chief Ramesh Kumar Basnet told the media: “He was manhandled, stabbed in the right side of his stomach with an iron lever, his body was then laid on the river bed, and run over by a truck (number Na 7 Kha 6413). We are further investigating the matter.”1 Meanwhile, Dilip’s family members told THRDA monitors that the contractors intentionally killed him. They informed that Dilip had earlier arguments with local contractors – Janak Mahato, Lochan Mahato and Bipin Mahato – who had threatened to kill him for opposing river extraction.

BACKGROUND Aurahi River lies in Mithila Municipality. The municipality awarded a contract of NPR 40.51 million to local contractors to extract river materials from the Aurahi river. The locals and farmers opposed the extraction of river materials from the deep riverbed which was beyond the permissible limit mentioned in the contract. The contactors were illegally extracting the river materials. The local farmers, including Dilip, whose fields adjoin the river, had been protesting the illegal extraction of the river materials by the contactors since it started two years ago. Dilip had repeatedly received death threats from the contractors throughout this period. He had repeatedly gotten into disputes with the owners and employees of the Churiyamai Sand Processing Centre. When Dilip did not stop his campaign against the crusher company, contractors tried to bribe him but he continued to oppose the illegal mining. The death of Dilip, who was the eldest son, is a major loss to the family. He was expected to work as an engineer soon. He was an engineering student at a university in Bhopal, India and had recently taken the final exams. He had come home to spend his vacation with his family. His parents have worked hard to pay for his tuition in India.

INVESTIGATION AND ACTION Police moved the body of Dilip for the post-mortem without preparing a crime scene report. Irate locals halted vehicle movement on the Mahendra Nagar Highway to protest it. They also demanded a stringent punishment for the killers of Dilip. On 11 January 2020, Dilip’s family lodged the First Information Report (FIR) at the District Police Office of Dhanusha district. Police assured the family that they would investigate the incident impartially and punish those responsible for his death. In a press meeting organized on 11 January 2020, police said that they arrested four persons allegedly involved: 27-year-old Bipin Kumar Mahato (owner of Churiyamai Sand Processing Centre), 34-year-old Munindra Mahato (tipper driver), another driver Jitendra Kumar Mahato (24-years-old) of Bardibas Municipality, Mahato, and 27-year-old Roshan Kumar Yadav (his friend). In a meeting of the National Assembly held on 12 January 2020, lawmakers demanded legal action against the perpetrators2. The National Assembly members also urged the government to curb ongoing illegal extraction of riverbed materials. Meanwhile, Province 2 Government on 13 January announced the payment of an ex gratia of NPR 0.5 million to Dilip’s family. In a statement released on 12 January,3 the National Human Rights Commission called the authorities to carry out an impartial and effective investigation into the case.

CALL TO ACTION Given the contemporary political scenario, human rights defenders (HRDs) in Nepal are at risk while carrying out their work. The actions and controversial bills4 such as Media Council Bill, Information Technology Bill, Nepal Special Service Bill5 introduced by the government have created fear among HRDs. The government also proposed an amendment to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act 2012 which undermines the independence of NHRC as it gives the Attorney General powers to decide which cases recommended for prosecution by the NHRC are brought before the courts, and it also abolishes the power of the NHRC to maintain regional offices. About the situation of HRDs in Nepal, Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2020 mentions: The Home Ministry prepared draft legislation that will give the government powers to monitor and control the activity of all domestic and international organizations in Nepal. Human rights defenders feared that these powers will be used to harass activists, and to deny access to external funding for human rights work. As of now, Nepal does not have specific laws or policies on the protection of HRDs. In 2009, the human rights community had drafted a human rights defenders bill7. The bill is yet to be registered in the parliament. But the discussions on the bill are underway among human rights organizations. It is high time that the human rights community and national and international stakeholders lobby the government and policy makers to enact a law on HRDs’ security. The cold-blooded murder of the environmental rights defender sends a chilling message to those carrying out human rights work in Nepal. We urge the authorities to create a conducive environment for HRDs. Despite media reports and ongoing protests staged by locals, the illegal mining of river materials in the country continues unabated. Arguably, the nexus between the contractors and local government units and politicians is responsible for this. Once again, we call on the authorities to set up a parliamentary inquiry into the illegal extraction of river materials, review of existing regulations and for the company to provide compensation to the family.

Terai HRDs Aliance

Lahan Municipality authority has been learnt to have decided to file a case against reporter Manilal Bishwakarma on August 24. Lahan lies in Province 2 of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum, reporter Bishwakarma shared that he received a copy of municipality's executive committee meeting minutes three days back (September 29). The minute states the municipality had decided to file charge sheet under Electronic Transaction Act and public offense against him and a local Mahesh Chaudhary. The municipality had accused Chaudhary of distributing relief materials to the public without prior information to the municipality.

The decision came after his reporting on municipality's distribution of 'rotten raw foods as relief materials to the locals facing crisis' following lockdown to contain coronavirus pandemic. In the news published on April 14, he had also included photographs of the locals who had reached the ward office to return the distributed decayed food stuffs.

Reporter Bishwakarma further said that he was also issued several threats through social media pages and the municipality’s authorities following the publication of the news. He however said, “I am ready to face whatever the consequences but I will not stop writing on such serious of govenrment irresponsibility and irregularities.”

Freedom Forum is alarmed over the decision of the local authority against journalist. While most of the people lost their earning in this pandemic, government’s relief is the major support to live. But such irresponsible behaviour of the local government towards its citizens and to the journalist is condemnable.

Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to correct the decision respecting journalists’ right to free reporting and cooperate with those for good governance at this time of crisis instead.

Nepal Press Freedom

Saptari based reporter for the Kantipur national daily Abadhesh Kumar Jha was misbehaved by a police officer while reporting on October 5. Saptari district lies in Province-2 of Nepal.

FF’s representative at Province-2 Rajan Singh reported that Jha was making notes about a discussion among women representatives, advocates and chief of police at the district police office. Women leaders had reached the office to make aware police chief Rajendra Prasad Dhamala and draw attention of security authority on increasing violence against women in the district in the recent days.

Police chief Dhamala warned that journalist Jha could not report in the district police office without police permission and ordered him (Jha) to leave the office immediately.

Freedom Forum has serious concern over the statement of police chief for it severely violates press freedom and citizens' right to information. The journalists have every right to report on the issues of public concern. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to respect rights of journalists and press freedom.

It is appalling that violence against women as rape and murder are rising rapidly across the country of late.

Nepal Press Freedom

Correspondent at Mithilanchal FM Rakesh Sah was threatened for reporting from quarantine in Dhanusha on August 25. Dhanusha lies in Province 2 of Nepal.

Reporter Sah was diagnosed positive for COVID 19 on August 18, since then, he has been staying in quarantine established by Province Governement in the local municipality.

According to FF's representative Rajan Singh, reporter Sah has been making aware the people on poor management in the quarantine through facebook live and his social media page. He has made public the poor quality of food served to the infected ones and negligence of media persons in monitoring health status of people staying in quarantine.

Following this, security officers on duty in the quarantine threatened him to stay quiet or else they would take action against him, informed representative Singh.

Threatening and silencing journalists who perform their job is sheer violation of press freedom and right to freedom of expression. FF condemns such behavior of security officials. While journalists are always reporting from the frontline even during this pandemic to disclose irregularities, intimidating those working even after being infected is intolerable. Hence, FF urges the authority to cooperate with those ensuring fair reporting atmosphere and citizen's right to information.

Nepal Press Freedom

A businessman involved in sand mining threatened editor of ramropost.com, (an online news portal) Kailash Lama through social media posts over his reporting on August 29 in Dolakha. Dolakha lies in Bagmati Province of Nepal.

According to FF's representative Ashok Dahal, journalist Lama has been continuously exposing illegal sand and pebble mining at Tamakoshi river in his reporting at Sagarmatha Television and ramropost.com online.

"On Friday (August 28) night too, following his reporting, the police arrested some individuals involved in the illegal mining. Then, the irked racketer Rajib Shrestha resorted to defamation, threat, and hate speech against Lama on his social media post," added Lama.

Talking to Dahal, Lama said that he had been facing threat from the racketeers for long after his reporting drew attention of the authorities about illegal sand mining.

"He didn't take it seriously before. But crushing industry operator Shrestha posted several posts against Lama on his Facebook spreading rumors about his professional integrity and hatred", said Dahal quoting Lama.

Also, editor Lama has filed a complaint at District Administration Office (DAO) on Sunday seeking justice and punishment against Shrestha at the earliest

Freedom Forum condemns the incident. Exposing irregularities and wrongdoings in the society is the job of journalists. Threatening and defaming those for doing their job is the sheer violation of press freedom. Hence, FF urges the concerned authority to look after the journalist's complaint and ensure security to the journalists. Also, the businessman could seek a legitimate way for any dissatisfaction over news published instead of harassing the journalists.

Nepal Press Freedom

Umesh Dube, a prominent investigative journalist who has earned his reputation for writing about corruption and malpractices has been arrested for allegedly "disturbing social peace and harmony" on 29th July, 2020. Bureau Chief of TV Today Television HD (https://bit.ly/3fn57Fm) and reporter at Sagarmatha National Television, Journalist Dube holds many caps on the journalism arena. He was arrested by District Police Office of Parsa district. Parsa lies in province 2.

As per Freedom Forum's representative for Province 2, Rajan Singh, "The dispute stated when the police made an issue warning Dube to not walk on the main road". Singh says, there is no law which prohibits anybody to walk on any road. Dube informed Singh that he was wearing a press jacket and had press card at that time. Later the same day, when Dubey posted a Facebook status saying that police's wrongdoings are not hidden from public's eye, he was arrested late in the evening.

According to DSP Manojit Kunwar, after holding him for two days, his custody is extended for 10 days as a court case against him has just been registered. They have claimed that they possess evidence where Dube has demanded money from people misusing police's name. Bijaya Kuswaha, a local journalist informed FF that the District Police Office, Parsa has the history of fabricating facts with the intention of revenge on those who speaks against the authorities. In the past, several other journalists were called out and were forced to sign papers accepting that they will not write or talk against the authorities. Journalist Dubey frequently published news regarding security officials' involvement on boarder smuggling and corruption.

Journalist Kushwaha Dube's investigative stories were the reason behind such troubles.

The action taken by the police against Dube is one of many examples where journalists are troubled by taking false legal courses in Nepal. Such action in the present has become day to day phenomenon to stop the journalists from involving in investigative reporting on the critical issues of the administration. FF demands immediate release of Dube as 10 days is the maximum amount of detention period given the nature of the case. As he has been investigated since 2 days, unfair extension infact seems like a way of teaching lesson to deter journalists from writing about the police. FF urges police to stop fabricating the facts immediately and respect the notion of free press.

Nepal Press Freedom

On 4 July 2020, woman human rights defender Bidya Shrestha Maharjan was physicallyassaulted by police officials while participating in a peaceful protest against the government�sacquisition of indigenous farm land for the building of the Expressway motorway in Khokana. Bidya Shrestha Maharjan is a teacher and human rights defender from the Kathmandu valley ofNepal. She is the women�s president of the World Newa Guthi, an indigenous communityorganization that works to protect the rights of the Newa Guthi people. An indigenous womanherself, Bidya Shrestha Maharjan has long been leading the movement to stop the illegal roadexpansion in the valley inhabited by the Newa Guthi people, which has already seen thedisplacement of thousands who have not been compensated and/or have been left landless. On 4 July 2020, Bidya Shrestha Maharjan, along with fellow activists and farmers of the indigenousNewa community from the Kathmandu valley gathered in Khokana to peacefully protest against theacquisition of land owned by indigenous Newa people. The land has been acquired for theconstruction of the proposed Expressway motorway, despite objections by the Indigenous Newa aswell as other local communities, due to concern that such mega projects will displace the entirecommunity. They have demanded that large scale projects such as the proposed motorway berelocated to more suitable locations.The peaceful protest turned violent when the armed police force intervened, lobbing tear gas shellsand charging at the crowd with batons, leaving dozens of protestors and police personnel injured.Bidya Shrestha Maharjan was beaten by armed personnel and later taken to hospital for theinjuries she incurred. Front Line Defenders is concerned by the physical attack and intimidation of woman human rightsdefender Bidya Shrestha Maharjan by police officials, as it believes this was solely due to herlegitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights and exercising her right to peacefullyassemble.

Front Line Defenders

Journalist Aash Gurung was attacked over news by Ward Chair Govinda Basnet on July2, 2020. Basnet is the Ward Chair of besisahar municipality ward number 7 of Lamjung. Lamjung lies in Gandaki Province.

Journalist Gurung is associated with Kantipur Television.

According to the Freedom Forum representative for Gandaki Province, Rajan Upadhyay, journalist Gurung was attacked over news which was about the misuse of agricultural grants. Gurung had mentioned in the news that those who had access were receiving grants without fulfilling grants criteria. He had also highlighted that one who should recommend grants were themselves misusing the grants.

On the other side, Ward Chair Basnet claimed that he had not attacked journalists instead he had suggested him to research before writing stories.

Meanwhile, journalist Gurung was criticized and threatened through social media by cadres of the political parties over the news related to misuse of grants.

FF condemns the incident as it has posed threat to journalists' right to free reporting. Threat to journalist Gurung over news also created a fearful atmosphere to other fellow journalists who are determined to do investigative reporting. Hence,FF urges concerned authority to take action and ensure fear free environment for journlaists.

Nepal Press Freedom

News chief at www.tukhabar.com (an online web-based portal) Balaram Pudasaini was misbehaved by a local Ramesh Gelal for reporting news on June 9 in Makwanpur district. The district lies in Bagmati Province of Nepal.

According to Freedom Forum's representative Rammani Dahal, journalist was reporting on difficulties farmers had to face while buying fertilizers in a place at Hetauda. In the meantime, Gelal pushed him back and verbally abused him without any reason in the presence of police officers.

Later, Police arrested Gelal and has charged him under indecent behavior following the complaint filed by journalist Pudasaini and other fellow journalists.

Freedom Forum condemns the misbehavior meted out to on-duty journalist. It is gross violation of press freedom and right to information. Abusing on-duty journalists who are working on field to make public informed about the social issues, even ignoring the possible risks of transmission of COVID19 is deplorable. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to punish the perpetrator and ensure free and safe reporting atmosphere for journalists.

Nepal Press Freedom

A peaceful programme in the Capital protesting the government's lacklustre response to the Covid-19 pandemic was met with water cannons and police batons.

Around 150 people had gathered in front of the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar at 10am on Tuesday, demanding that the government improve quarantine conditions and make wider use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction tests. They were also asking that the government come up with alternatives to the blanket lockdown imposed on the entire country since March 24.

The KP Sharma Oli government has long been criticised for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite an over two-month-long lockdown, coronavirus infections--and deaths-- continue to increase across the country. Thousands of people are in makeshift quarantine facilities that are themselves becoming hotspots for Covid-19 due to cramped conditions and a lack of basic sanitation facilities.

Calls to lift or ease the lockdown have increased too, with business owners defying orders to shutter their stores last Thursday. Many have also raised serious questions about the government�s failure to address the plight of the poor and the marginalised, who are suffering disproportionately from the lockdown after having lost jobs. There have already been a number of deaths that can attributed to the lockdown and its consequences.

The protest attempted to maintain physical distance with most attendees wearing masks and holding placards.

Though the protest was peaceful, police employed water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Some were taken into custody for breaking the lockdown.

�We had requested the police to give us 15 more minutes to sit in protest when the police charged," said Rohit Malla Shakya, 43, a businessman. "This is an indication that the government is getting more intolerant."

As images and videos of the protest and the police response began to circulate on social media, many called the police out for its disproportionate use of force.

�What a disgrace! This happened today during a peaceful socially distanced rally (at Baluwatar) urging the government to ramp up PCR tests and improve quarantine facilities,� said one user on Twitter. �Looks like the government cannot tolerate any form of protest that displays their incompetence.�

Senior Superintendent Shyam Gyawali, chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range, said that police used force to clear protesters who were disobeying lockdown orders.

�Besides, Baluwatar is a sensitive area and protests started to block the road that many VVIPs need to travel through,� Gyawali told the Post.

Protest attendees, however, said that they weren't blocking the road and were about to wrap up the protest when police resorted to a baton charge and water cannons.

�We were not blocking the road, and it was very peaceful,� said 21-year-old actor Anna Sharma.

Eight people were taken into custody by the police.

Kathmandu Post

Freedom Forum condemns the arrest of Alam Khan, a human rights activist and a member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists. He was held for writing on Facebook about the ill administration owing to the death of a person due to Covid-19 on the 20th of May, 2020. He was arrested in Banke, Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj lies in province no. 5.

According to FF's representative of province n. 5 Sudip Gautam, Alam's arrest was done by District Police Office in Nepalgunj. He was kept at the district police office for the whole day before releasing him on the condition that he appears in the police office on a daily basis. On his Facebook status, Alam also wrote that the dead person should be declared a Martyr and be compensated indicating that the mismanagement of administration caused the death.

Upon inquiry, Alam said even though no one had lodged a complaint against him, the police had arrested him.

Since the day of the arrest, Alam has been present at the Police Office on Thursday and has been told to be present every day.

Freedom Forum strongly criticizes the misuse of power by the police who have been troubling the activist who writes and advocates about the mismanagement around the COVID-19 situation. While in fact the authorities should be coordinating and collaborating with the activists inorder to enforce positive changes in the community and utilize their community reach, on the contrary, police have been unnecessarily targeting these activists to silence them. Freedom Forum urges the police headquarter to monitor the misuse of power in the local level and enforce ethical practice within the police offices. FF also urges the police offices to be mindful and respect the Free Speech which every Nepali citizen is constitutionally entitled to.

Nepal Press Freedom

A hospital staff issued death threat to Journalist Shital Sah, director at Radio Janakpur on May 13 in Dhanusha. Dhanusha lies in Province 2 of Nepal.

As per information provided by FF's representative Rajan Singh, Journalist Sah had broadcasted news about negligence and irregularities at COVID-19 testing lab in Janakpur Provincial hospital. Following this, hospital's junior staff Jugal Yadav and his two friends reached radio station and threatened the journalist to death for reporting the news.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom. Reporting news about irregularities and issues of public concern is the right of journalists secured by Nepal's constitution. FF strongly urges the hospital authority to adopt legitimate way for any dissatisfaction on news and respect journalists' rights thereby, ensuring citizen's access to right to information.

Nepal Press Freedom

Security officials misbehaved journalist Prem Nepali while reporting on May 5 in Kaski. Kaski lies in Gandaki Province.

Journalist Nepali is associated with Hour Tv.

According to Freedom Forum's representative for Gandaki Province, Rajan Upadhyaye, journalist Nepali was reporting about complaint filed on ethnic discrimination at District Police Office, Kaski. A group of dalit representative along with Mohan Sunar who filed complaint were at office to know about the status of complaint, but they were misbahved by the police. While capturing footage of misbehavior to Dalit representatives journalist Nepali was also treated badly and Police Inspector snatched journalist's camera.

Moreover, Inspector Deepak KC aggressively responded to journalist who said that it is not allowed to capture footage without the consent of police.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent of Police Dan Bahadur Karki claimed that complaint filed on ethnic discrimination is under investigation and journalist was not treated badly while inquiring about the case.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is a gross violation of press freedom and right to information. Reporting on social issues and exposing exposing irregularities is the prior duty of journalists. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to address the issue seriously respecting the rights of journalists and citizen�s right to information.

Nepal Press Freedom

Govinda KC, Dailekh correspondent to Nagarik National Daily was verbally abused and threatened of attack for reporting on April 27. Dailekh is situated in Karnali Province of Nepal.

FF's representative Laxmi Bhandari reported that reporter KC was threatened by a canteen owner Chhatra Thapa for writing news about irregularities of Narayan Municipality, Dailekh. The news entitled- irregularities on purchase of relief materials- was published on Nagarik daily on April 22.

Following news publication, municipality's canteen owner Thapa abused reporter KC at public place saying why and at what expense the news report was made.

Representative Bhandari further stated that Thapa had even called goons to attack the reporter. However, police took Thapa under control later.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is violation of press freedom and lauds police action to arrest the accused. Despite the availability of legitimate ways to express dissatisfaction over published news contents, local authority's action to harass journalist is deplorable. Hence, FF urges the concerned authority to resort lawful ways and respect journalists right to free reporting.

Nepal Press Freedom

Journalists Manoj Mourbait and Sibendra Rohita were attacked on April 18 (Friday) at 8 PM on Kohalpur of Sahitnagar Municipality-9, Dhanusha. The duo journalists were assaulted by a gang of five on their way home from reporting about the COVID-19. Their laptop and camera were also seized. Dhanusha district lies in province no. 2.

Mourbait and Rohita are reporters to Janakpur Today and www.khojkendra.com (a web-based news portal) operated from Dhanusha district.

According to FF's representative Rajan Singh, a group of five people beat the duo which resulted in a deep cut in the head of journalist Rohita. Maurbait has also sustained injury due to the beating. Furthermore, they pointed towards Mayor Udaya Barbariya of Sahidnagar municipality who ordered such an attack. The duo has been admitted in Janakpur Zonal Hospital.

Rohita said, "On Friday we were making a report about the Quarantine facility of Sahid Nagar. These facilities are in a worrisome state with no proper service in place." To learn about the municipality's position on this issue, they visited the municipality office. Shortly after that, he ordered to launch an attack.

In the past too, the mayor Barbariya had threatened the Journalist Mourbait for writing news against his administration. The duo had been disclosing about the mismanagement of funds by the Barbariya's administration.

Nepal Press Freedom

Reporter to Annapurna Post national daily Raj Karan Mahato and the camera person Bibek Mahato were threatened while reporting on illegal mining in Mahottari on April 16. Mahottari lies in Province 2.

Freedom Forum's representative Rajan Singh reported that the reporters were taking videos and pictures of illegal excavation in a local river during lockdown. In the meantime, four people arrived on their motorbikes and chased away the reporters.

There reporters however escaped the attack and called local police for protection. A team led by Police Inspector Prakash Regmi reached the place to protect reporters.

Freedom Forum condemns the attempt to attack reporters. Journalists reporting on corruption and illegal activities always face intimidation. Such incidents are representative cases of press freedom violation which create panic among working journalists and induce censorship. Hence, FF strongly urges the local authority and security body to ensure safety to the journalists thereby, helping protect press freedom rights.

Nepal Press Freedom